A former FBI agent is to visit a Slaithwaite school to talk to youngsters about online safety.

Miguel Clarke is a former supervisory special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the USA’s domestic intelligence and security service.

Miguel will take part in an assembly with children at Slaithwaite C of E Junior & Infant School on Thursday September 28. It’s part of a drive to increase awareness of the importance of educating children and their parents about how to operate safely in online environments.

Miguel is in the UK with Armor Defense Ltd to address a conference in London and meet with businesses up and down the country to advise on cyber crime but he was also keen to spend time with a younger audience and share his knowledge about the potential dangers they can face online.

He will run through a programme of activities and videos with a group of 95 children aged between seven and 11, including teaching them rules to help them stay safe online. They will even have the chance to take part in a question and answer session.

Later in the evening their parents will also be able to hear from Miguel about the measures they should be taking to protect their children at a special parents’ evening.

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Miguel, who spent nearly 24 years as a special agent with the FBI and was a founding member of the United States’ National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force, said: “Online safety threats grow by the day and while we don’t want to discourage children and their parents from enjoying time in online environments we do want to equip them with the tools to stay safe.

“You are never too young to be educated about online safety and I can’t wait to share some tips and advice with not only the children but their parents too. My FBI cybersecurity experience will hopefully help to engage the pupils on the topic.

“Parents need to be aware of the technology their children are interacting with, and the data that is being gathered about them even in a relatively simply action like downloading a game. They need to engage with the process, be educated and know how to create a safer environment.”

Caroline Fowler, headteacher at Slaithwaite J&I School, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Miguel to talk to the pupils and start their online safety journey. The internet and technology are part of everyday life now within schools so online safety is of paramount importance.

“We hope that by also inviting parents to meet Miguel it will allow them to have open and honest conversations about the online dangers they may encounter and how to deal with them.”